Essential Vietnam: Saigon to Hanoi - Superior Tour

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The Experience

Make your next holiday a once-in-a-lifetime adventure exploring the classic sights of Vietnam. Discover cosmopolitan Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), a vibrant and modern city tinged with memories of the Vietnam War.

Fly to UNESCO World Heritage listed Hoi An, arguably Indochina's prettiest and most atmospheric town, where you can explore the cultural sights, visit nearby imperial Hue, or relax on long sandy beaches. Finish your trip in North Vietnam, taking in Hanoi, a pretty town drenched in culture with rich overtones of French-colonial history and a day cruise on fairy-tale Halong Bay, drifting between limestone karsts rising from the sea like otherworldly giants. At such fantastic value this is an adventure you won't want to miss and a trip you'll never forget!

Extend your holiday with a break in Cambodia or on the beaches of Phu Quoc

English-speaking guides and entrance fees included

Selected dates between 26-May-2018 and 31-Oct-2019; Based on a 9 night stay leaving from Heathrow

Included flights

UK Departure

Departs: london

Arrives: ho chi minh city, Vietnam

Return Flight

Departs: hanoi, Vietnam

Arrives: london

Day 1 to 10

Essential Vietnam - Saigon to Hanoi - Superior Tour

4 stars

As Per Itinerary

As Per Itinerary

Fantastic tour encompassing the iconic sights of Vietnam hassle-free and with internal flights included

Unique karst seascapes of Halong Bay

Cultural sights, breathtaking natural scenery and time to relax

Exotic and compelling, Vietnam is one of the most remarkable travel destinations in the world. Take in all the classics sights of Vietnam's most iconic destinations including a once-in-a-lifetime cruise on Halong Bay and time to relax on the beach.

Day 1: Fly overnight to Saigon

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Saigon

Day 2: Arrive Saigon

Arrive in Saigon and meet your driver to transfer to your hotel.
Saigon is one of the world's truly cosmopolitan cities with a history, culture and style obtained from colonial France, ancient China and the art deco era.
Although the city was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1975, the government soon realised that the proud 'Saigonese' would never stop calling it Saigon. Now it's accepted that Ho Chi Minh City refers to the greater metropolitan area, while the older and central suburbs are called Saigon.

Overnight Saigon

Day 3: Explore Saigon and the Cu Chi Tunnels

This morning head to the Cu Chi Tunnels which are located in an area known during the American War in Vietnam as the 'Iron Triangle', on account of the strength of its Communist insurgency. The network, which is several storeys deep in some parts, includes trapdoors, living areas, storage facilities, weapon factories, field hospitals, command centres and kitchens.
In the afternoon, you will begin your sightseeing around Vietnam's largest and busiest city with a visit to the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral, the French-style Central Post Office and the Reunification Palace
Afterwards, you will be transferred to Ben Thanh Market where you can enjoy some bargain hunting!

Breakfast included

Overnight in Saigon.

Day 4: Travel to historic Hoi An

This morning you will be transferred to Saigon airport to catch your short flight to Danang.
Upon arrival in Danang, transfer to the charming town of Hoi An via the Marble Mountains
More than any other place in Vietnam, Hoi An retains the feel of centuries past. In 1999, the town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage listed site for having the most unique architecture in Southeast Asia.
The rest day is free in Hoi An

Breakfast included

Overnight in Hoi An

Day 5: Hoi An and the beach

Spend the morning walking the ancient streets of Hoi An and the beautiful 16th century Japanese Bridge.
Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the town, shop for souvenirs or relax on the beach

Breakfast included

Overnight in Hoi An

Day 6: Hoi An and the beach

Take a full day to relax and explore this beautiful town. You might choose to get some clothes made at Hoi An's world famous tailors, shop for souvenirs, or head to the gorgeous beach for a day of relaxation

Breakfast included

Overnight in Hoi An

Optional tour: Day trip to atmospheric Hue
This morning, will leave Hoi An early and head north to Hue. This drive will take us over the scenic Hai Van Pass, passing the fishing village of Lang Co, as you enjoy panoramic views of the central coastline.
Hue was the imperial capital of Vietnam from 1802-1945, when the last emperor abdicated the throne, yet even today it is still regarded as the seat of Vietnam's culture and religion.
We will visit the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City, which was built only for the Imperial family, concubines and eunuchs.
We continue by road to Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue's oldest and most beautiful pagoda, built on a hill overlooking the Perfume River. From the pagoda we take a cruise on the Perfume River before taking the transfer back to Hoi An.
Arrive back in Hoi An late in the evening.

Inclusion: Private transportation with air-conditioned, Local English speaking guide, sightseeing fees, Mineral water and towels.

Ask your travel consultant for details and costs

Day 7: Travel to Hanoi

Transfer to Danang Airport for your short flight to Hanoi
Upon arrival, your guide will meet and greet you for your transfer to the hotel. Hanoi is a charming and richly historic city of lakes, shaded boulevards and verdant public parks, with a population of about four million. The city centre is like an architectural museum, with blocks of ochre buildings retaining the air of a provincial French town from the 1930s.

Breakfast included

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 8: Ho Chi Minh's Hanoi

Visit the Ho Chi Minh Quarter for a look at the life of the father of modern Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the Humble House on Stilts from which 'Uncle Ho' ruled Vietnam until his death in 1969, the Ho Chi Minh Museum and the One Pillar Pagoda.

You will then drive to the serene Temple of Literature, Hanoi's first university dating back to 1070 and a historical centre of learning, now dedicated to Confucian worship.

Later this afternoon, take walking tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter. This area of crowded market alleys is still laid out as it was 300 years ago and is also known as the '36 Streets'. Traditionally in Vietnam, all the shops on a single street were devoted to selling one product. We can see rope, button, copper and herbal medicine streets.

Breakfast included

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 9: Hanoi - Halong Bay

Early this morning drive to the area that is regarded as the 'Jewel in the Crown of Vietnam', Halong Bay.
Upon arrival in Halong Bay, you will board your boat for a cruise around the 3,000 islets that rise from the clear emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Bizarre rock sculptures jutting dramatically from the sea and numerous grottoes have created an enchanting, timeless world; the sails of the junk boats and sampans add further to the scenic beauty.
Have a seafood lunch on board your junk boat before returning to the wharf. Then travel back to Hanoi, arriving later this evening.

Breakfast and lunch included

Overnight Hanoi

Day 10: Depart Hanoi

Today is at leisure, enabling you the chance to grab that last bargain in the Old Quarter or stroll around the lakes and boulevards to soak up the colonial and romantic atmosphere of Hanoi.
Later meet your driver to transfer to the airport for your flight home

The Holiday Place customer rating

A truly wonderful experience. The guides at all three destinations were excellent and added so much to the enjoyment of the holiday. The hotels were all of a good standard and well located. Organisation of a fairly complex itinerary was faultless. Another excellent holiday from the holiday place.